The Hassaku Festival in Oarai is a well-known end-of-summer attraction. On a Sunday in late August, the shopping street is closed to traffic, and portable shrines and floats parade around. It is crowded with booths by local merchants and has parades and other events.
A Shinto ritual is held every year on August 25 at Oarai Isosaki Shrine to pray for peace in the world and a good harvest. On Saturday of the same week, floats go around the town for the eve of the festival, and the main festival is held on Sunday. The area from Magarimatsu shopping street to Onuki shopping street is closed to traffic, and there are booths, float parades, portable shrine processions, and Isobushi dance parades. This festival was revived 22 years ago out of the desire to keep loving Oarai forever. It is a festival by the locals, for the locals.
Summer, [Held in late August *We will update once the detailed date and time are decided.]
It is said that in the past, the Kashima god Takemikazuchi no Mikoto and the Katori god Futsunushi no Mikoto headed north to force Onamuchi no Mikoto, who is enshrined at Oarai Isosaki Shrine, to give up the country to them. The Hassaku Festival at Oarai Isosaki Shrine is a Shinto ritual related to this ancient myth, and is a festival to pray for peace in the world and a good harvest.
It is said that in ancient times, on August 1 of the lunar calendar, the chief of the Shinto priesthood and others from the Kashima Shrine rode on horseback all the way to Oarai and presented a spear and shield there. In recent years, the Shinto ritual has been held on August 25 at Oarai Isosaki Shrine. On Saturday of the same week, floats go around the town for the eve of the festival, and on Sunday for the main festival, Oarai shopping arcade is closed to traffic, and there are booths, a float parade, a portable shrine procession, and Isobushi dance parade. The festival attracts many people from inside and outside the town as an end-of-summer attraction.
Faith in god, a pedestrian paradise, food stalls, events
Floats, parades of floats, participants
Shinto ritual: Oarai Isosaki Shrine
Eve of the festival and main festival: Oarai Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry
